What to know before traveling to Minnesota, the land of 10,000 lakes
Minnesota may be known for its accent and music icon Prince, but the state is also home to pristine national and state parks, award-winning restaurants, and a vibrant arts scene.
Travelers planning a trip in the United States, specifically the Midwest, should add Minnesota to their vacation plans. The Star of the North state has a quiet charm, and its reputation extends beyond its subzero temps and long winters. Visitors can choose a variety of ways to uncover the magic of Minnesota through its epic landscapes and truly unique experiences.
Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Voyageurs National Park, discover the history found along the stunning North Shore of Lake Superior, try a fried candy bar on a stick at the Minnesota State Fair (the Great Minnesota Get-Together), or try the famed Juicy Lucy or an award-winning meal at Hmong restaurant in the Twin Cities. There’s something for every type of traveler in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
Best time to visit Minnesota
Spring: When Minnesota’s notoriously bitter winter ends (around April) the locals love to hit the bike trails. Minneapolis is ranked as one of the top biking cities in the country, with over 200 miles of trails, including the 51-mile Grand Rounds Scenic Byway. Or you can jump on the 115-mile Paul Bunyan State Trail, in central Minnesota, which is one of the longest paved bike routes in the U.S., stretching from Brainerd to Bemidji.
The cascading waters at Minnehaha Falls are at their fiercest (and loudest) in spring, especially after the winter thaw. You can then hike along the river amongst a forest of oak, elm, and cottonwood trees and through fields of spring wildflowers.
Summer: Minnesota is the Land of 10,000 Lakes, and during the warm summer months you can rent a lakeside cabin and join the locals boating, kayaking, fishing, and water skiing. Or stay on the lake in Voyageurs National Park, in the far north of the state. There you can rent houseboats to cruise around the glacially carved lakes.
The Minnesota State Fair takes place in late August in St. Paul and is the biggest state fair in the U.S. by daily attendance. Over 200,000 people a day come to pet farm animals, jump on carnival rides, and eat an assortment of fried foods on a stick.
Fall: Visit the North Shore in the fall to see trees exploding in brilliant shades of red and gold. The 300-mile Superior Hiking Trail skirts along the coastline of Lake Superior, with 90 free backcountry campsites. Or you can run along the shore of the lake in summer in the annual Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, which attracts elite runners from around the world.
Time your trip to catch one of the state’s four major professional sports teams (basketball, baseball, American football, or ice hockey). All the major sports stadiums are easily accessible from downtown Minneapolis, including the 73,000-seat U.S. Bank Stadium, the home of the Minnesota Vikings. Hockey fans can drive 20 minutes from Minneapolis to downtown St. Paul to catch the Minnesota Wild play at Xcel Energy Center.
Winter: Winter in Minnesota is cold (the coldest recorded temperature is -60°F), but that doesn’t stop the hardy locals from taking advantage of all the snow and ice. Hit the frozen lakes for ice skating, pond hockey, or ice fishing, or go snowmobiling or cross-country skiing on one of many designated winter trails.
(Related: How Minnesota helped me find the magic of winter.)
Key areas to explore in Minnesota
Music: Prince is king in Minneapolis and his legacy looms large around the city. Catch a gig at First Avenue (where Purple Rain’s concert scenes were filmed), check out the 100-foot-hight Prince mural in Downtown, and take a tour of Prince’s wildly eccentric home Paisley Park. In May, you can head north to Duluth to celebrate another former illustrious resident Bob Dylan at Duluth Dylan Fest.
Art Scene: Minneapolis has a collection of world-class and progressive galleries, including the Weisman Art Museum and the Walker Art Center but art takes all forms in Minnesota. See one of the statues of the mythical giant lumberjack Paul Bunyan in Brainerd, Akeley, and Bemidji, or you can go in search of giant wooden trolls hidden away in the forests around Detroit Lakes in northwestern Minnesota. Visit the southern town of Austin for the world's most comprehensive collection of spiced pork artifacts at the Spam Museum.
Shopping: Conveniently located near Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, the Mall of America in Bloomington is the biggest shopping mall in America. No sales tax on clothing is just one of the perks for shoppers visiting the 5.6 million square foot mall with 520 stores. The other perk for kids is the indoor amusement park, located in the middle of the mall.
(Related: 10 not-to-be-missed things to do in Minnesota.)
Taste of Minnesota
Award-winning Native American cuisine: Sean Sherman (also known as the Sioux Chef) is the founder of Owamni, a modern Indigenous restaurant in Minneapolis. It serves only pre-colonial Indigenous foods, which means no beef, pork, chicken, flour, dairy, or cane sugar.
Scandinavian fare: Nearly 50 percent of Minnesota’s foreign-born population was born in Sweden, Norway, or Denmark. So, for a taste of Scandinavia, head to FIKA Cafe in Minneapolis, which is housed inside the sprawling, castle-like American Swedish Institute. You can order Nordic staples like meatballs and gravlax but also try their seasonal menu dedicated to regional ingredients.
Hmong food: Minnesota has one the largest diaspora of Hmong people in the world. Hmong food combines flavors from Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, and China. Go to Vinai (in Minneapolis) for their Hilltribe Crispy Chicken, and Sweet Tamiri-glazed Pork Belly
The Jucy Lucy: Probably Minnesota’s most famous homegrown dish is the Jucy Lucy. What’s a Jucy Lucy? It’s a burger with the cheese inside the beef patty. The debate continues about who created the first Juicy Lucy, but you can try the famed burger at Matt's Bar and Grill or the 5-8 Club.
Dessert: Drive to Northern Minnesota to visit Betty’s Pies in Two Harbors. Open since 1956, the restaurant-bakery is touted as serving the “world famous pies,” including its popular strawberry rhubarb pie.
(Related: The pioneer: how chef Sean Sherman is shining a light on Native American cuisine.)
Getting around Minnesota
By plane: Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) serves 136 domestic nonstop flights and 27 international nonstop flights. Airports Council International (ACI) has named MSP as the Best Airport in North America seven times in the past eight years.
By bus and light rail: In the Twin Cities area, public transportation options include the light rail (LRT) and the Metro Transit Bus Service. The city’s light rail has a direct line that connects Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport to downtown. Download the Metro Transit App for maps and schedules.
By car: Minnesota has two seasons: winter and road repair. The state has an extensive major highway network that connects cities and towns. There are also plenty of scenic drives, including the North Shore Scenic Byway which hugs the shores of Lake Superior for 154 miles from Duluth to the Canadian border.
By train: Amtrak’s Empire Builder has a daily route from Chicago, Ill. to Portland, Oreg. and Seattle, Wash., making stops at Union Depot on Kellogg Boulevard East in St. Paul as well as other cities in Minnesota, including Winona, Red Wing, St. Cloud, Staples, and Detroit Lakes.
(Related: Best hotels in Minnesota for every type of traveler.)
Know before you go
Cultural history: Minnesota’s name derives from the Dakota phrase “Mni Sota Makoce” meaning “land where the waters reflect the clouds.” The state is home to 11 sovereign Indigenous nations.
The state’s best-known Native American heritage site is Pipestone National Monument. For over 3,000 years, Indigenous tribes from across the country have come to Pipestone to quarry the red stone to make ceremonial pipes.
LGBTQ+-: Minnesota is considered one of the most LGBTQ+- friendly states in the U.S. with strong legal protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, while Twin Cities Pride is one of the largest Pride festivals in the country.
How to visit Minnesota sustainably
Minnesota ranks 5th in the nation in sustainability and is the 7th most environmentally friendly state (according to WalletHub). The state is a natural choice for eco-conscious travelers boasting six national parks and 64 state parks.
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is about as green as it gets with 1,200 miles of completely untouched lakes, rivers, and streams—all only accessible by canoe. There are 2,000 camping spots and motorized boats are not permitted.
